Sunday, May 5, 2013

Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher/Birding

 Blue-gray gnatcatcher

One of the frustrations of photographing birds is they don't always appear in the best light. Hmmmm. Yesterday, this one (and its mate which you cannot see in this photo) was on the west side of the path in late afternoon. I moved to a better angle and they wouldn't come back. But when I returned to the path they continued building their nest.

 Beginnings of nest made of spider web threads and plant fibres

Blue-gray gnatcatchers are rare to uncommon here so I decided to continue photographing them in spite of the light.

Contortionist when nest building

I am linking with I'd Rather B Birdin'  HERE.

45 comments:

Lowell said...

Very cool shots, EG. Much better than I can do. Cute little bird, too!

Anni said...

I know what you mean about 'light' for these lovely friends of ours...AND not to leave out, they don't stick around long enough most times as they flit from branch to branch. Once you're focused in on them, they've moved over yonder! LOL

Great images. Nest building, huh? It's that time of year. :o)

Ruth Hiebert said...

I understand the frustration of bird photography. You did get good shots of this activity.

Maggid said...

Thank you for your efforts.
I enjoy every shot - and learn so much.

love & love,
-g-

MadSnapper said...

the light is beautiful in these, i like the background as much as the birds. that last one is to funny, i have never seen a contortionist bird before.

eileeninmd said...

Great post on the Gnatcatcher! They are cuties! cool you were able to watch the nest building!

HansHB said...

Lovely photos!
Nice to study!

Unknown said...

Nice capture!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

Indrani said...

They did give you some good poses. Great captures.

TexWisGirl said...

i like the white ring around their eyes.

Unknown said...

Cool sequence! Lovely captures.

Nukke said...

So cute, little bird !! Lovely pics.

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

The light looks great to me. I've decided I don't have the patience to be a bird photographer. Kind of like, okay, you don't want to pose where I need you to, then I'll go take a picture of something else.

Randy said...

These are great. Busy little bird.

Unknown said...

Cute little bird.

RedPat said...

They are so smart to use spider webs as an adhesive in the nest-building! Super shots.

Small City Scenes said...

How neat you got to see and photograph them. I don't think I have even heard of one. Pretty bird too. MB

Small City Scenes said...

Well no wonder I have never seen them---we don't have any here. MB

DeniseinVA said...

Brilliant photos, love the dappled lighting. Shows these pretty birds just beautifully.

Susan Anderson said...

That top one reminds me of that Emily Dickinson poem about hope being the thing with feathers on....etc. The way that bird's neck is arched looks like hope to me...

=)

Magia da Inês said...

¸.•°✿✿⊱彡

Ótimas fotos.
Ótima semana!
Beijinhos.
Brasil.°✿⊱彡
¸.•°✿✿⊱彡

Janet said...

I rather like the light, and the bird certainly appears to be thinking about how best to build the nest.

Malyss said...

acrobat or gymnast?! :o)

Karen said...

I think they are good shots! Interesting how they use spider webs!

Grandma Barb's This and That said...

So glad you were able to capture these great shots!

George said...

You got some marvelous shots of the nest-building even if the light wasn't what you hoped it would be.

Rose said...

Wow, wonderful that you even got to see them working on the nest, much less get these photos!

NatureFootstep said...

it is a treat to be able to see this. :)

Lisa Gordon said...

What a sweet little one!

Crafty Green Poet said...

Lovely photos! It's always so amazing to be able to watch birds building their nests

Karen said...

Great shots, I love the positions birds manage to get themselves into.

Carver said...

Great shots. I love the way it turned up its nose in the first shot.

Viola said...

So very beautiful! =)

I thought the bird was holding his/her neck up to sing.. ;) but now I see it might as well be because he/she is looking for spider web threads.. :))
if the bird didn't stay in the sun right there, the leaves did! so lovely! :)

Michelle said...

A lovely, little subject and although you think they are difficult to photograph, you did quite a fine job.

Jack said...

There is something wrong with that light? I didn't notice.

I marvel at your knowledge about birds.

LONDONLULU said...

The light looks marvelous to me!:) I am especially impressed at your patience in finding these lovely creatures.

Kay said...

You've managed some amazing shots here - the last one is simply magic. What a treat! I see nothing wrong with the light; it brightens the leaves nicely.

Anonymous said...

What lovely shots. You captured them well! And it all looks so spring-like!

Stephanie said...

Great shots!

Cezar and Léia said...

awww so cute little bird!Your pictures are wonderful!
hugs and a nice week
Léia

Gail Dixon said...

I've only seen this bird once and it was an active little thing--and very tiny. You did great with these!

Darla said...

Great shots even if you didn't think the light was quite right. Gnat catchers must be useful in the garden.

Darla

Anonymous said...

I do think those birds could take direction much better when we suggest they move to the left. How fun to watch her build the nest!

PerthDailyPhoto said...

Blimey EG I would have been mega chuffed with these shots. What gorgeous little birds they are, love the first shot, looks like it's singing like crazy :)

MTWaggin said...

You did great capturing such a small bird. If they are in nature you are right they aren't always in the best backgrounds or light.

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East Gwillimbury is a rural town less than an hour north of Toronto, Canada's largest city. My family calls me CameraGirl because I take my camera with me wherever I go.